Craig Berube's firing is inevitable as the Maple Leafs weigh a Matias Maccelli or Max Domi exit
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Craig Berube's days with the Maple Leafs are numbered, and there's no way he's coming back. But neither is one of Max Domi, Matias Maccelli or Nick Robertson and Toronto needs to make a choice soon.
There's absolutely no chance that Craig Berube can come back now, and with how badly the Maple Leafs need changes from top to bottom, if they do bring him back it would probably create a firestorm of anger from a fanbase who is tired of disappointment.
If the team has any hopes of not only making the playoffs next year, but actually being a competitive team going forward - they need a much better bench boss.
Bye-bye Berube: There's no more wondering, Craig is getting fired
Well it seems like they are not only in the market for one, but it's all but written in stone that Berube is headed out the door. According to James Mirtle on The Leaf Report, there's zero chance the team brings back Craig Berube regardless of circumstances:
It makes a lot of sense given that the archaic system being implemented by Berube isn't good for the current roster. It relies on speed, forechecking, and a dump and chase mentality.
Toronto doesn't have the speed necessary to keep up with other teams and if they dump the puck they are consistently beaten over and over.
With that however they do have another issue which goes hand in hand with the Berube decision and that's finding a way out for one of Max Domi, Matias Maccelli, or Nick Robertson.
If you want to keep speed in the lineup, then Domi is the odd one out however he also makes the most money, is much older, and out of the trio of players is the one with the least highest offensive ceiling.
But trading him won't bring a lot back nor will it be easy however he is at least under contract and if you need to shove him into a fourth-line spot then so be it for now which means Maccelli may be the outlier.
A $4.1-million bet: Why Maccelli is the outlier in trio of similar forwards
He's earned his spot in the lineup and has been a much better player over the past few months, though Toronto still doesn't know what they have. Is he that creative 50-60 assist guy they hoped for? Or is it more a middle-six role with an emphasis on speed and secondary support?
That's for the new GM to determine, and there very well could be someone who loves what Maccelli offers and keeps him around. However, we already had the blessing of Shane Doan and it took a long time for him to get the egg off his face.
Maccelli, 25, has 35 points in 60 games (14 goals, 21 assists) so it's clear the offensive potential is there, so there very well could be a world where he feels a lot more comfortable next year and is able to hit at least 50 points.
But he's too similar to Domi and Robertson, and he could end up bringing the best bang for their buck though it doesn't solve the fact that Domi is still potentially going to be playing centre come 2026-27.
For now though, it seems that two things are going to happen for the Maple Leafs: Craig Berube's out for good with the jury still out on Matias Maccelli's fit.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The scrutinized Auston Matthews mock trade to the Flyers for Trevor Zegras and Oliver Bonk is a Leafs lifeline
The scrutinized Auston Matthews mock trade to the Flyers for Trevor Zegras and Oliver Bonk is a Leafs lifeline
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 23|1331 ANSWERS Craig Berube's firing is inevitable as the Maple Leafs weigh a Matias Maccelli or Max Domi exit Should the Toronto Maple Leafs fire Craig Berube now or at the end of the season? | ||
| Now!! | 530 | 39.8 % |
| Wait until year's over | 801 | 60.2 % |
| List of polls | ||